MARC Roberts, who fulfils a key full-time role for the WRU as regional performance manager for North Wales, has been appointed as Wrexham’s new head coach.

He will coach in his own time and, to do so successfully, will be assisted by a coaching team which is being set up.

Wrexham chairman Barry Williams said: “We are delighted that someone of Marc’s calibre is taking on the role and are confident that the future development of players and plalying standards is in very safe hands.”

Roberts is no stranger to the Bryn Estyn Road club having played for its youth team before he left to study at university.

In the 90s, he was employed by Wrexham County Borough Council in conjunction with the WRU as a rugby development officer for the Wrexham area, before having his first taste of regular coaching when he took charge of Wrexham 2nds at the beginning of the millennium.

Roberts, who also played a handful of games for the club’s first team in 2003, said: “I have spent a lot of time at Wrexham and have no illusions of what lies in front of us. The future looks bright with a successful youth side producing players who will play a key role in the creation of a good, new senior side. I’ve already spoken to a number of players and I’m very excited at the prospects for the new season.

“It’s clear to me that we have to prioritise the creation of a stimulating, vibrant and challenging senior environment that puts players first. Once that is in place we can start to formulate some performance goals.”